Frequently Asked Questions
About Somatic Therapy

My office is near the center of Amherst on the edge of the UMass Campus.

150 Fearing St, Suite. 16

Amherst, MA 01002

My office hours are as follows:

Monday     9:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

Tuesday    9:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

Wednesday  9:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

Thursday    9:00am – 6:30 pm ET

Friday     9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET

Sessions are a full 60 minutes.

Please call me at (413) 949-9132. You can also email me at sebestasomatics@gmail.com or fill out the contact page.

Then, we can set up a free 20-minute consultation. I can learn about you and your concerns, and you can ask any clarifying questions you may have. We can decide if this feels like a good match.

I accept cash, checks, and Venmo.

No, I don't take insurance. Some people may be able to use HSA or FSA funds to pay for services.

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify me at least 24 hours in advance. This allows me to offer the time slot to another client.

Apppointments canceled with less than 24 hours notice will incur a $100 late cancellation fee. This policy is in consideration of my time and the needs of other clients. I do take genuine emergencies and sudden illnesses into account and will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

I work with adults 18 years and up.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

It depends on the person and their needs. Developing safety and regulation are two key components of the work. It is easier for me to give you a more exact answer to this question during our phone conversation.

That depends on your history and your goals. If there is no developmental trauma and the issue is an accident, a few sessions may do it. If there was developmental trauma and you become triggered easily and stay triggered for weeks, the regulation process could take many months, if not a year or two.

Going directly to the big trauma before establishing regulation could hinder the process.

I’m sorry. That was probably not the answer you wanted to hear. Healing is a process. If you can give yourself patience and grace, it will make the process more comfortable and fruitful.

Of course, you decide when you feel you have completed your work!

I am a certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP), having completed a three-year program focused on trauma and its impact on the body. I also hold certifications in Organic Intelligence® (Levels 1 & 2), which emphasize nervous system regulation and resilience, along with additional certifications in Touch Skills for Trauma Therapists and Somatic Resilience and Regulation: Developmental Trauma.

My academic background includes a B.A. in Fine Arts and a Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.). Before becoming a somatic therapist, I spent over 25 years teaching students from first through eighth grade, which deepened my understanding of child development and the needs of growing individuals.

This combination of professional certifications, Organic Intelligence® training, and decades of teaching experience informs and enriches my work with clients today.

Juneau, my dog, and I love hiking and backpacking along trails. Dancing, drawing, learning of any kind, and spending time with my kids (adults now) and friends are other things I do in my free time.

My passions also include travel, having adventures, and learning new things.

Hmm, it could be fascinating and mind-blowing, but I think I prefer earth-focused activities. One could always change their mind, however.